Netanyahu to skip Auschwitz anniversary event in Poland over ICC arrest fears: Report
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be attending an event in Poland to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz owing to the risk of arrest and extradition under warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.
Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita reported on Friday that Israeli authorities did not attempt to request that Netanyahu be allowed to participate in the event on January 27, where several world leaders are expected to attend, after the Polish government previously affirmed its commitment to cooperating with the ICC over a warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest.
Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch is expected to attend in Netanyahu’s place.
Poland’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Władysław Bartoszewski told the newspaper that his government was “obliged to respect the provisions of the International Criminal Court in The Hague”, meaning its hands were tied.
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over their alleged involvement in “crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024” in Gaza.
